Shoe-cleaner.



R. D. BROMLEY.

SHOE CLEANER.

APPLICATION FILED 0GT.16, 1912.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT D. BROMLEY, OF GENEVA, OHIO.

SHOE-CLEANER.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ROBERT D. BROMLEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Geneva, in the county of Ashtabula and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shoe-Cleaners, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to that class of boot and shoe cleaners which are attached to the floor and comprise a pair of laterally spaced brushes and transverse scraper blades beneath the latter.

It is the object of the present invention to provide an improved support for the brushes and scrapers, whereby the latter may be readily lifted off the floor in order that the dirt accumulating beneath the device may be removed.

The invention also has for its object to provide a cleaner of the kind stated which is simple in construction, and which can be cheaply manufactured.

With these objects in view, the invention consists in a novel construction and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter described and claimed.

In order that the invention may be better understood, reference is had to the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device; Fig. 2 is a cross section thereof, and Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section.

Referring specifically to the drawing, the supporting frame of the device comprises laterally spaced side bars 5 connected at their ends. One of the end pieces 6 of the frame is formed intermediate its ends with a journal 7 which is supported in a bearing 8 mounted on the floor 9 of the porch or other place Where the device is to be located, and fastened by screws or other suitable securing devices 10. The frame is therefore pivotally mounted on the floor so that it may be swung upward out of the way when the floor is to be swept, which facilitates the removal of the dirt which may accumulate beneath the device from the use thereof. The end piece connecting the side bars at the free end of the frame is flattened as indicated at 11, to be close to the floor, and is Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 16, 1912.

Patented June 24, 1913. Serial No. 726,094.

engageable by a pivoted catch 12 for holding the frame down in operative position. The catch is pivoted to the floor 9 by a screw or other suitable fastener 13.

Between the side bars 5 are mounted upstanding scraper blades 14, two of such being provided. The outer ends of the blades are reduced, as indicated at 15, and said reduced ends pass through slots 16 in the side bars. The reduced ends also form shoulders 17 on the blades which abut against the inner surface of the side bars, and said reduced ends project from the outer surface of the side bars and support a rod 18, said projecting ends having apertures in which the rod is mounted.

A rod 18 as herein described is mounted on each side of the frame, and each of said rods carries brush supporting devices. These brush supporting devices comprise stout spring wires which are coiled around the rods as indicated at 19, and have one of their ends extending upward as indicated at 20, and secured to the brushes 21 by screws or other suitable fastening means 22. The other ends of the springs engage the side bars 5. The parts 20 form spring supporting arms for the brushes and they tend to press the brushes inward toward each other. The brushes are spaced apart a suitable distance so that the foot may be inserted therebetween, and the bristles of the brush face each other. It will therefore be evident that if the foot is placed between the brushes and carried back and forth, the boot or shoe will be brushed off. The brushes are forced outward when the foot is inserted, and they are yieldingly held in contact with the boot or shoe by the supporting arms 20. The sole of the boot or shoe rests on the scraper blades 14, and the dirt may therefore be scraped off the same, as well as off the bottom of the heel, at the same time the brush ing operation takes place. In order to guide the arms 20, the side bars 5 are formed with outstanding ears 23 at their top edges, which have slots 24 through which said arms eX- tend.

The device herein described is simple in construction, in view of which it can be cheaply manufactured, it is easy to operate, 1 ried by the spring arms, and ears projecting l0 and it effectually serves the purpose for Which it is designed.

I claim:

A cleaner for boots and shoes comprising a supporting frame having spaced side bars, projections on the outer faces of the side bars, rods, carried by the projections, spring arms carried by the rods, brushes carfrom the side bars, said ears having guide slots through which the spring arms extend. In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of tWo Witnesses.

ROBERT D. BROMLEY. Witnesses:

FRED STEINBERGER,

R. W. SMITH.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

